The key ingredient in Monsanto's best-selling Roundup weed killer has reportedly been deemed safe – despite the World Health Organization's claim that it likely causes cancer. The finding could mean the herbicide will be relicensed in Europe.

An assessment of
glyphosate was conducted by the German Federal Institute for Risk
Assessments (BfR), allegedly based largely on unpublished papers
provided by the Glyphosate Task Force – an industry body which
lobbies for the herbicide's relicensing in Europe.

The evaluation, reportedly seen by the Guardian, revealed that the Institute drew
different conclusions from the World Health Organization's
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

The BfR report found “very limited evidence of
carcinogenicity” in mice exposed to glyphosate and
recommended its re-approval, suggesting the available daily
intake be raised from 0.3 to 0.5 mg per kilogram of bodyweight
per day.

In addition, a BfR spokesperson said another World Health
Organization (WHO) working group had also concluded that
glyphosate was not carcinogenic, adding that an expert task force
would soon clarify the organization's official position,
according to the Guardian.

EU
legislation requires that the “active substances”
present in pesticides and herbicides be re-evaluated at least
once every decade. That process is currently underway, and is
expected to be completed by the end of 2015.

On Tuesday, Monsanto announced it had arranged for an outside
scientific review of the WHO's conclusion, hiring Intertek
Scientific & Regulatory Consultancy to arrange a panel of
scientific experts.

Following the WHO ruling in March, the agrichemical company said
it was “outraged” at the assessment and accused the
organization of “agenda-driven bias.”

Developed in the 1970s, farmers have
been using glyphosate in increasing quantities since the
mid-1990s, when Monsanto introduced genetically engineered crops
which could withstand being sprayed with Roundup. The ingredient
is also used in Dow's Accord and Syngenta's Touchdown
herbicides.

International regulatory bodies, including those in the US, have
said that glyphosate is safe when used as directed.

But there is also concern surrounding other ingredients – known
as ‘surfactants’ – in glyphosate-based weedkillers, many of which
are more toxic than glyphosate itself.

However, manufacturers such as Monsanto believe the ingredients –
and studies about their toxicity – should be kept secret.

Monsanto reportedly refused to release a toxicity report for
Roundup to the Chinese government last year, stating that it was
a trade secret.

Protesters across the world have been speaking out against
Monsanto for years, accusing the Missouri-based company of
choosing profit over the lives of people.

In May, the third annual March Against Monsanto saw activists from
over 400 cities speaking out against the company's sale of toxic
chemicals, as well as its attitude toward food safety regulations
and staunch opposition to GMO labeling. Small farmers also took
part in the demonstrations, accusing Monsanto of monopolizing the
seed market.